Happy Meals

A student takes photos on a scavenger hunt for fast food visual inspiration.

Fast food chains are all over New York City, and they employ thousands of workers. What rights do fast food restaurant workers have in this large workforce? What rights should they have?

In the spring of 2014, CUP teaching artist Chelsea Wagner worked with two ESL classes at the Academy of Urban Planning in Bushwick to find out. Students took a field trip to restaurant chains in the neighborhood and interviewed a community organizer and a fast food worker. They created a not-so-happy meal postcard explaining wage rights on one side, and the right to unionize on the other.

Resources & Links

Funding Support

This program is made possible by the Bay and Paul Foundations, public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.